Dates
Jerry Neal Lay, 86, of San Angelo, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 4, 2026. He was born on October 17, 1939, in San Angelo, Texas, to Thomas Owen Lay and Sara Louise Rich.
He married his beloved wife, Betty Joyce, on June 10, 1990, joining their families and sharing 36 wonderful years together. Together, they built a life filled with love and laughter, leaving a lasting legacy for their children and grandchildren.
Jerry lived a life rooted in faith, love, and service. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He enlisted in 1957 and attended basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. During his service, he spent three years stationed in Germany. His enlistment concluded in 1962 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist Fourth Class (SP4), a reflection of his dedication and commitment to duty.
A member of the Lake View High School Class of 1958, Jerry worked in sales for most of his life and cherished the lasting relationships he built with coaches throughout the area. Jerry loved his family fiercely and rarely missed an opportunity to attend his grandchildren's events. He never passed up a good estate sale or antique shop and enjoyed attending San Angelo sporting events, especially the ASU Ram baseball games. He also enjoyed coaching Sterling's youth baseball teams, had such pride watching Stacy play basketball, and spent many years cheering on the Central Bobcats alongside Betty, Gene, and Sondra. Most evenings were spent watching baseball together, with Betty cheering for the Texas Rangers and Jerry favoring the Houston Astros. Their good-natured rivalry was a constant in their home and a reminder of the joy they found in the simple moments.
He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Lay; his children, Stacy Gonzalez and Greg McCall and wife, Lavonne; his cherished grandchildren, Leddy Priddy and husband, Matt, Amber Hebert and husband, Brandon, Landon McCall and wife, Kelci, and Britni Duarte and husband, Matt. Nothing brought him more joy than his great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Conner, Kinsleigh, Finnley, Rhett, Rhynn, Sterling, Andi, Ava, and Owen. He is also survived by his sister, Janell Morse; brother-in-law, Reuben Stewart; sisters-in-law, Sondra Lay, Joanne Hudson, and Linda Atkinson; and a special family friend, JB Farris. He will also be deeply missed by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
Awaiting him in Heaven are his parents; his sons, Sterling Neal Lay and Danny Wade McCall; his great-granddaughter, Tessa Grace McCall; his brothers, JH, Walter, Gene, Milburn, and Alfred Lay; and his sisters, Terry Lazicki, Betty Compton, and Becky Edwards.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Robert Massie Funeral Home in San Angelo, Texas. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ozona, Texas, with family and friends invited to attend.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Shannon Medical Center ICU for the exceptional care, compassion, and dignity they showed Jerry and his family. Their kindness will never be forgotten.Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that Jerry-Dad, Grandad, GranJerry-is now at peace, reunited with the Lord and his loved ones. His legacy of faith, love, and devotion will live on in all who knew him.